I realize that there is some friction between some on this board and hockey, due to the 1999 arena referendum. However, if there are some out there who, with an open mind, would like to experience hockey, this week you have the best opportunity you are going to get. Houston is in the conference finals, playing Chicago in a best of seven series. Chicago had the best regular season record in the league, but was devastated by Houston in the first two games of the series. Houston won these two games 5-0 and 4-1, very sound victories. Chicago is a very tough, and skillful team, and is not likely to give up easily. Games 3, 4, and 5 (if necessary) will be played in Houston. (6 and 7, if necessary, would be in Chicago.) These will determine the Western conference champion, who will go on to play in the Turner Cup Championship series. These next few games are likely to be the hardest fought, and most exciting games of the year. Games 3 and 4 are Tuesday and Friday at the Compaq Center. Upper Deck seats are 11,14, and 19. Lower level are 32, 26 and on the glass for $54. Check it out. ------------------ Stay Cool...
Houston lost Tueday, in a 6-4 struggle, making Houston 2-1 over Chicago in the best of seven series. Friday should be great game. If anyone is interested in seeing some exciting playoff action, you should check it out -- Friday, at 7:30. ------------------ Stay Cool...
How is the support for the Aeros in Houston? Considering they are champions, how well do they do at the gate? We don't hear about the IHL much here, most of our hockey coverage outside the NHL and international tournements goes to the WHL or OHL. Houston definately has ability to host the "Coolest Game on Earth". Seeing the way Dallas has embraced the Stars, Houston should not have any problem either. Azim da Dream ------------------ True champions do not take their failures to heart and never let success go to their heads.
In Toronto, eh? Get ready for a little competition. New franchise owners in Toronto are going to open up an IHL franchise soon (2000 or 2001). We’ll get to compete in a couple of sports. The IHL has done very well in Houston, especially considering the fact that it is a “minor league team in a major league town." A lot of people don’t look at it the same because it isn’t the NHL, but it’s got all of the excitement (at a much better price). Houston has averaged a respectable 7,000 ish a game during the regular season. Keep in mind that the IHL is one step below the NHL, and never will sell out a larger arena like the Compaq Center on a regular basis. Don’t compare them to the Rockets, because they are a different sport in a different league. They have made their mark on the city. For a little perspective, they rank third among sporting events (including college) for total attendance in the city, behind the Astros and Rockets. They are the second most successful team in the IHL in terms of revenue, and are gaining on #1 (Grand Rapids) Last year, the team won the 1999 league championship, the Turner Cup, in front of a sellout crowd of 15,242 at the Compaq Center, in the most attended finals series in IHL history. This year the team has the IHL goaltender of the year, and league MVP in Freddy Chabot. This isn’t the NHL, but it is professional hockey, with a lot of NHL caliber players. It is also one of the best teams on the next level, in a league that has teams from cities with much more of a hockey tradition. Last year, “Texans” put a little mud in the eye of a lot of northern teams, by winning the top two championships in hockey. They hope to continue that tradition this year. Houston’s hockey team is something to be proud of. ------------------ Stay Cool...
